On a night that many said Cedar Park would fall, the Timberwolves stood tall, beating Rouse 31-0 on Friday night, Sept. 23, at Bible Stadium. Questions were asked all week about the Wolves’ offense, and many wondered if the black rain defense would be able to hold a very capable and powerful Rouse offense. Cedar Park answered all those questions and more in the victory. If there were critics before, it’s safe to say there won’t be after the blowout win.

“It was a great game played by our team in all three phases, offense, defense and special teams,” head coach Carl Abseck said. “The statement that was hopefully understood is that when we prepare the proper way during the week in practice, the results show on Friday.”

After exchanging punts to begin the game, Cedar Park struck first. After a 35-yard catch by senior Hayden Craig, senior back Omar Alzer ran it in from 40 yards away to put the Timberwolves up by 7. After another Rouse punt, Cedar Park struck again by way of an 11-yard touchdown run by senior back Tyler Lavine. The black rain defense silenced the Rouse offense early on, giving up negative net yards to Rouse in the first quarter.

The second quarter saw no scoring as both teams struggled to move the ball down field. Cedar Park put two solid drives together, but lost fumbles cut both drives short. The black rain continued to play well keeping the high-powered Rouse offense at bay.

The second half was dominated by the Timberwolves, who silenced their critics through their late-game dominance. After stopping Rouse, Cedar Park scored by a 34-yard touchdown catch by senior receiver Daniel Rosenthal. The score was Rosenthal’s first career varsity catch. On the ensuing possession, Rouse snapped the ball high and into the endzone on a punt. Lavine took down the punter for a safety, extending the lead to 22-0. After another negative drive by Rouse, senior Hayden Craig scored on an 8-yard touchdown rush, set up by a well-executed fake punt.

“It felt good to get back on the field with my brothers,” Craig said. “It was nice to make plays for the offense and score for the team.”

Slowing the pace at this point, the Wolves would eventually add two more points by way of an intentional grounding penalty committed in the end zone by Rouse quarterback Michael Forster, resulting in a safety. More defensive dominance closed the game strong, leading the Wolves to a 31-0 win.

“A safety in any game is a game changer, but to have two of them in one game is amazing,” senior cornerback Austin Silguero said. “Not only did it motivate us, but it killed [Rouse’s] mojo.”

According to KMAC Sports, Cedar Park outgained Rouse offensively 359 yards to 86. The black rain defense silenced doubters by shutting out a Rouse offense that averaged 49 points per game. The Raiders only had 5 yards passing the entire game. For the first time in school history, the Wolves forced two safeties in the same game. Offensively, senior quarterback Mak Sexton completed nine passes for 143 yards and one interception. Rosenthal caught his first career pass for a touchdown, while Craig, Alzer, and Lavine all added rushing touchdowns.

Up next for Cedar Park, comes Bastrop ISD opponent Cedar Creek. After a well-timed bye week, the Wolves will go into the game fresh and rejuvenated for the second half of the season. The Eagles, whose only win came against 4A school Smithville, currently sit at 1-4 on the season. They face Rouse this week before heading to Cedar Park to take on the Timberwolves. The game will take place Friday night, Oct. 7, at 7:30, at Gupton Stadium.